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Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

rentpost.com

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Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#61

Post by rwhitman »

maukdaddy wrote: post #15
oojacoboo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you would think this is the case, and yes, an on the ground sales team will be helpful in addition to our affiliate program and partnerships, but these days are starting to phase out. These people are starting to realize they can't operate their companies the same way they did 10 years ago, and as the younger generation steps up the ladder in these companies, it's getting more attention.

You completely dismissed the parent, who is 100% correct. While you think these days are "starting to phase out" you are incorrect. Despite younger managers taking over, this is an industry where even younger people are not as tech savvy. Take your technical blinders off, step back, and look at the big picture. A 100% awesome tech experience is not going to matter when you don't have users.

On the one hand, I'm 100% inclined to agree with you, but on the other I think he might be ok.

My last landlord added me as a friend on Facebook when we signed the lease, and was actively attempting to use email and smart phones to facilitate communication. I've heard similar stories from other folks, so we may be at a tipping point where landlords are more open to SAAS tools, primarily because of the ubiquity of mobile apps and Facebook etc

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#63

Post by ttol »

GavinB wrote: post #48

I found the pricing page confusing at first. At a casual glance it looks like most of the plans are exactly the same. Something about the design made me ignore the number of units listed at the top. It also doesn't state if there are transaction fees, which you mentioned in another comment.

Found it confusing too. Easy fix would be to add a new row in the table with the numbers so it appears in both the table and the graphic.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#64

Post by shod »

simonista wrote: post #56
darwinGod wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The design is sick" - think there may be a typo there, reading your comment- "slick"? :P

"sick" can be slang for great or cool. see http://onlineslangdictionary.com/definition+of/sick

and to shake one's booty means to wiggle one's butt. allow me to demonstrate.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#65

Post by gavinbaker »

mikeleeorg wrote: post #46

Several years ago, I had an apartment that used a similar online rent payment system, though I can't remember the name of it (payyourrent.com? rentpayment.com? hmm). As a tenant, one of the features I loved most about them was the ability to pay by credit card - so I could earn points through my rent. I didn't see a mention of being able to accept credit card payments, so if that's not in this version yet, here's a v…

Something that makes it easier to be a property owner is great. I see this not going after the current market but people like me who want to make renting easier.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#66

Post by Travis »

oojacoboo wrote: post #10
vaksel wrote: post #5

the problem is that most property owners aren't tech savvy. Most of them don't even have a webpage. And I'm not talking about the 1-2 unit owners...I'm talking about multi building companies with $600K in yearly revenue who haven't even bothered to setup a 1 page site with their phone # and hours of operation. If you are going to take on this market, you are going to need a direct on the ground sales team.

you would think this is the case, and yes, an on the ground sales team will be helpful in addition to our affiliate program and partnerships, but these days are starting to phase out. These people are starting to realize they can't operate their companies the same way they did 10 years ago, and as the younger generation steps up the ladder in these companies, it's getting more attention.

How many potential customers have you talked to that said they would 100% purchase this?

While I would love it if you'd prove me wrong (go, do it! be a success!), your responses here appear a little naive. Spending 2 years building something like this is very impressive, but it doesn't sound like you've talked to very many customers. (I get that just from the vague statements you're making about "these days", "starting to realize", etc.)

I know nothing of the space, so I can't comment to that. But it does sound like you would benefit greatly from doing some customer development, Steve blank style.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#67

Post by oojacoboo »

hippo33 wrote: post #40
amirmc wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd be interested to know what kind of Customer Development went on here. How many discussions took place with potential users and what were the problems they pointed out that RentPost is now solving?

Totally agree - I'm not sure most people on this list are actually landlords/property managers to be able to say whether or not landlords/property manager would or wouldn't be able to use this. From an end user perspective, I think the design looks totally awesome. And, I would be thrilled if my property manager would adopt this.

I think you hit the nail on the head.. thrilled if your manager adopted this... Management companies are offering things like tanning packages, gym memberships and all sorts of crazy perks to get tenants, this is yet another advantage for them over the competition.

We aren't pioneering the space here either, there are half a dozen competitors.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#68

Post by DanBlake »

pkananen wrote: post #60
DanBlake wrote: post #50

I own with my father a 30 unit building. With that, let me just address the tagline: "Connect with tenants effortlessly, automate rent with online rent collection, organize work orders, and much more!" - Connect with tenants effortlessly - Not a good thing, Usually leads to excess work orders, more "asks" and petty squabbles about this and that. - Automate rent with online rent collection - Not sure how this is going…

I hate to say it, but most of the descriptions you provide about yourself as a landlord typify why people often dislike them.

Uh, ok. This is a product marketed to land lords, not to tenants. I am giving the opinion for the target.

Im sure the same thing could be said about attorneys. Its the way the world works. Tenants like asking for misc bullshit and landlords hate doing them.

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#69

Post by studiofellow »

il wrote: post #7

If I were you I would strongly reconsider your pricing....you're underpricing by quite a lot. The last place I was in, the company my landlord used for online rent collection charged 1.50 per transaction...to the tenant. That's in addition to whatever fixed monthly fee the landlord was paying.

I agree the pricing seems low. I was shocked at the low monthly price considering how much money changes hands for an average rent check.

Does the target market behave more like consumers than businesses?

Re: Ask HN: Review RentPost.com

#70

Post by roel_v »

vaksel wrote: post #5

the problem is that most property owners aren't tech savvy. Most of them don't even have a webpage. And I'm not talking about the 1-2 unit owners...I'm talking about multi building companies with $600K in yearly revenue who haven't even bothered to setup a 1 page site with their phone # and hours of operation. If you are going to take on this market, you are going to need a direct on the ground sales team.

Check out http://www.landlordmax.com/ and especially the blog. This guy (selling Java-based desktop tenant management software) managed to eke out quite a profitable business in a few years time. His blog has stats, afaik with sales and nr of users etc. (he used to hang out on the old BoS boards (maybe still does?) and was one of my inspirations back then to get into actual product development).
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